HE IS flying high as the bookies’ joint favourite to win the X Factor.

But shy 21 year-old former supermarket worker Jahmene Douglas has revealed he once tried to kill himself over a catalogue of domestic abuse by his father.

The star in the making admitted yesterday that he once took an overdose of pills and locked himself in the bathroom before being talked out of it by his brother Daniel.

Tragically, Daniel took his own life three years later, after their abusive father Eustace was released from jail having served a sentence for attacking their mother in 2002 with a blow torch.

“I couldn’t see a way out, so I locked myself in the bathroom and tried to take a load of pills,” said Jahmene, whose natural vocal talent has seen him compared to Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.

“But Daniel smashed through the door and said, ‘Are you being stupid, do you know how much we all love you?”

They get PlayStations in prison. It should be a prison

Jahmene Douglas

Jahmene went on: “Daniel was an inspiration to me on so many levels. He was an amazing person, who excelled at

everything he did.

“When things were at their worst with dad, talking to him helped me escape mentally. Then, when I was at my very

lowest, he was there for me.

"He literally saved my life.”

Jahmene counts his mother, Mandy Thomas, as being his inspiration and saving grace.

Mandy, an artist and campaigner against domestic abuse, has long been a champion of her son’s talents.

On her own website, where she showcases some photo-realistic works of art, Ms Thomas modestly tells fans of her award-winning paintings, “My son has the gift from the gods with a voice that melts hearts. He is also the most humble person I know.”

Jahmene and Mandy have both previously spoken out against the way the prison system appears to care more for criminals than victims.

Jahmene said: “They get PlayStations in prison. It should be a prison.

"It shouldn’t be that it’s better off to be in prison. That might stop people committing crime. We feel like we’re in a prison while he walks free.”

And he has vowed to make a change if ever he gets into a position of influence.

Jahmene – who wowed audiences on Saturday night with a rendition of Robbie Williams’ song Angels – was 66-1, alongside Ella Henderson, to be eliminated in last night’s results show.